However, the two factions were still vying for dominance, and Konoha might yet retain its alliance if handled carefully.
This intelligence must be relayed back immediately!
The problem was, he had no way to quickly transmit the information back.
The only option was to send a Shadow Clone, but that would consume a significant amount of Chakra and take a considerable amount of time.
"I can handle the message transmission," Raj said slowly.
"I have a Summoning Blood Contract with Rin. I can deliver the message, meow~"
Naoki remained silent for a long time, inwardly regretting ever bringing this cat along.
Comparing their efforts, he realized Raj had been right all along.
The cat was remarkably versatile - capable of nearly everything a ninja could do, except for Medical Ninjutsu, and often doing it better.
Take this situation, for example.
After half a day of painstaking investigation, Naoki had only confirmed that the enemy was mobilizing ninja.
Meanwhile, Raj had already discovered that one of them was a Captain and that higher-ups hadn't yet made a decision.
'Is my own ability lacking, or is it the cat's that's exceptional?'
Naoki couldn't help but doubt himself.
After a few seconds, he decided to write down the intelligence first and let Raj transmit it back before considering further action.
Intelligence transmission required specialized scrolls, and as someone trained in infiltration and intelligence gathering, Naoki naturally carried plenty.
Soon, he had written the report using Jiraiya's unit's cipher.
Raj couldn't understand a word of it, but it pretended to, nodding repeatedly as if in agreement.
The Gekko Clan's Special Jonin was eager to compare himself to it, so Raj couldn't let him realize it didn't understand.
After a few minutes, he handed the scroll to Raj.
Raj pinned it under its paw, then pulled out the Summoning Blood Contract and began to feign seriousness.
After a few seconds, it used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport the scroll to Rin.
"Meow~ Done!"
The intelligence scroll was sealed, so there was no need to worry about others peeking at it.
Rin would undoubtedly deliver it to Minato immediately, who would then pass it on to Jiraiya.
Naoki didn't understand this maneuver.
Since the Gekko Clan had no summoning beasts, he nodded without asking further questions to avoid revealing his ignorance, maintaining a cool and aloof demeanor as he said, "Let's go. Next location."
"Meow!"
When going on missions, Raj never expected to rest properly in one place.
Besides, having discovered such crucial intelligence, its contribution would surely be significant.
As for Naoki, he was just a professional escort.
As long as he led the way, Raj would still get its share of the spoils.
Under the cover of night, they left the town.
Nearby, Ori, hiding near a trash heap, curled up even smaller, unaware that she had narrowly escaped disaster...
The Grass Country wasn't large; for ninjas, crossing its entire territory in a straight line wouldn't take much time.
Soon, Naoki had led Raj to the heart of the Grass Country - Kusagakure, the Kusa Ninja Village.
Kusagakure was the largest town in the Grass Country.
Raj had visited before and even scored a free meal there.
But this time, they had to sneak into the village, no shooting allowed.
"Kusagakure is just ahead," Naoki said.
"Once we enter, avoid using Ninjutsu unless absolutely necessary... Hmm, if you can eliminate targets silently like before, consider that an exception."
"..."
'The ultimate assassination: kill everyone who sees you? This kid gets it.'
'No wonder he's a Special Jonin promoted through assassination - his standards are on another level.'
Raj mentally scoffed before staring down thoughtfully.
It was nighttime, but don't think security would be lax.
Konoha's night patrols were just as vigilant as during the day, and with the current tensions, Kusagakure's defenses would likely be even tighter.
After a moment's contemplation, Raj pondered another question.
'Why are we sneaking in?'
Raj tilted his head, gazing at Naoki.
"Meow~"
"Hmm, you want to know why we're going in? To be honest, I don't know either. Our intelligence on Kusagakure is severely lacking. All we need to do is look around, gather some basic information, and report it to Lord Jiraiya."
Naoki shrugged.
Previously, Konoha had focused primarily on intelligence regarding Iwagakure and Sunagakure, completely overlooking Kusagakure's movements.
If Raj hadn't discovered the ambush during the escort of ninja tools, Konoha might still be unaware of the situation here.
Emerging from the cellar, Raj shook off the lingering depression of his confinement.
'Ah, fresh air!'
'So they won't let me stay? Fine by me! What's the big deal? The fact remains that I can use the Flying Thunder God Technique - no amount of jealousy can change that. And soon, I'll be able to use it freely...'
'Assuming the village approves, of course.'
Raj mused.
'They've already granted exceptions for Special Jonin. A Flying Thunder God Technique shouldn't be a problem, especially since I just earned the village a major victory. Even Minato himself said I could apply for it.'
'Stay calm. Everything will be fine!'
With his mind at ease, he wandered aimlessly, suddenly unsure what to do.
Minato had told him to take care of his own affairs, but what affairs did he have?
The camp was strictly organized, and he couldn't just run around randomly fleecing people for Points.
'Being a cat is so hard.'
'What next? Should I visit Brother Naoki?'
Naoki was a good friend.
During their joint mission, he had contributed a significant number of Points.
Unfortunately, his enthusiasm had waned quickly after returning to camp.
'Forget it. I probably won't get many more Points anyway.'
Raj glanced at its status panel.
With nearly 10,000 Points, buying high-end items was still out of reach, but investing in a round of lottery draws seemed feasible.
After using the recyclable iron ball once, it realized the item's synergy with the Flying Thunder God Technique was exceptional.
Acquiring more iron balls through the lottery would be well worth the investment.
As for exchanging Points for them... Sorry, but these items aren't available in the general store.
They're non-sale items, obtainable only through the lottery.
Consider them bonus prizes, but who cares? Raj needed them.
Raj opened the lottery panel, its eyes widening at the sight of the prizes.
Over twenty items were listed, but only the Invisibility Technique seemed worth any significant Points.
'Today's the day! I might hit the jackpot!'
With nothing else to do, Raj decided to test its luck with a round of draws.
"Meow! Let's go!"
Raj looked around, then leaped onto a tree at the edge of the camp, beginning its ritualistic preparations.
After a series of maneuvers, it silently chanted.
'Start drawing...'
Soon, the list appeared, item by item.
Looking at the panel, Raj felt no emotion whatsoever, and even wanted to laugh.
'What is this garbage?'